The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 26 Sailboat

The Sun Odyssey 26, a fractionally-rigged sloop was designed by Phillipe Briand and built in France by Jeanneau.

A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 26 Sailboat waiting for a breeze to fill its sails

A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 26 Sailboat in need of a breeze.

Published Specification for the Sun Odyssey 26

Underwater Configuration: Bulb Fin with spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 24' 6" / 7.47m

Waterline Length: 22' 2" / 6.76m

Beam: 9' 8" / 2.95m

Draft: 5' 6" / 1.68m

Rig Type: Fractional Sloop

Displacement: 5,024lb / 2,279kg

Designer: Phillipe Briand

Builder: Jeanneau (France)

Year First Built: 2003

Owners Association: Jeanneau Owners Network

Published Design Ratios for the Sun Odyssey 26

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.9

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: ?

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 206

4. Comfort Ratio: 16.5

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.3

Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Sun Odyssey 26

The Sun Odyssey 26 sailboat is a popular cruiser that embodies balance and stability. Its performance can be best understood by examining its various design ratios:

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D): At 15.9, the Sun Odyssey 26 sits nicely in the range of cruiser-racers. This ratio generally indicates how easily the boat will get going in light air and how well it will handle stronger winds. With a nearly 16 score, this sailboat can offer a good balance between cruising comfort and speed, making it responsive and able in varying wind conditions.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: The B/D ratio isn't available. However, this ratio indicates the robustness of the craft in rough weather conditions. The higher the ratio, the better the sailboat can withstand inclinations.

Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L): With a D/L ratio of 206, the Sun Odyssey 26 falls in the light cruiser category. This suggests that the boat is relatively light for its length, giving it the potential for good speed, especially in calmer waters.

Comfort Ratio (CR): This ratio measures the ‘motion comfort’ of the boat. At 16.5, the Sun Odyssey 26 is considered to have a fairly comfortable cruising experience. Sailboats with a higher CR have more weight and are usually longer, resulting in a smoother ride. So even though the Sun Odyssey 26 is relatively small, it still offers a comfortable experience.

Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): At 2.3, the Sun Odyssey 26 appears to be quite safe, suitable for offshore sailing. A CSF of 2.0 or less is considered ideal, implying that the boat is less prone to capsize. A score of 2.3 indicates that while the Sun Odyssey 26 is not at the absolute top of the safety spectrum, it still has a reasonably good capsize safety factor for a craft of its size.

These ratios paint a picture of a well-rounded, agile, and comfortable light cruiser that is equally capable of coastal cruising and offshore passages. However, it's important to remember that these ratios only provide guidance, and its performance can be influenced by other factors including the skill of the crew, weather and sea conditions, and the sailboat's condition.

But how much faith can you put in these design ratios, and how are they are derived?

The essential eBook for potential boat buyers...

The Sun Odyssey 26: An Overview

The Sun Odyssey 26 is a classic French cruising sailboat produced by the renowned manufacturer Jeanneau. It is a small but robust yacht that is designed for optimal performance. Measuring 26 feet in length hence its name, the Sun Odyssey 26 is perfect for short coastal cruising and racing with a small crew.

This sleek sailboat boasts a combination of comfort and functionality, featuring a spacious and well-appointed interior layout in addition to its superior seafaring capabilities. It generally includes a compact but equipped galley and a reasonable saloon area, with enough room to accommodate four to six people for sleeping.

On deck, the Sun Odyssey 26 has an impressively spacious cockpit for its size, with high-quality deck gear and a good spread of sails, enabling smooth handling. The boat is powered by a Yanmar 9 HP engine which provides sufficient power for harbour manoeuvres and calm weather cruising.

The Sun Odyssey 26 exemplifies Jeanneau's philosophy of creating reliable, easy-to-handle, and excellently performing sailboats. Its compact size does not compromise the boat's performance or comfort, making it an excellent choice for those looking to explore coastal waters or simply enjoy sunny afternoons on the water in an easy-to-manage craft.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com